Beacon Hill News

Payano Says Amendment to Senate Housing Bill Pays Benefits to Haverhill, Methuen and Lawrence

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The Massachusetts Senate last week outlined its approach to creating affordable housing and approved a related amendment from Sen. Pavel M. Payano that would double payments certain developers would have to pay for dense housing projects. Payano’s amendment affects the state’s controversial Chapter 40R overlay zoning designed to promote residential and mixed-use developments near transit stations by increasing developers’ one-time, upfront incentive payments and per-unit bonus payments from $3,000 to $6,000. Payano credited the state law for previously helping to create 362 housing units in downtown Haverhill. The senator said in a Friday statement his amendment, if ultimately included in a reconciliation with a House housing bill, will benefit Haverhill, Lawrence and Methuen. “Inflation has degraded the incentives over time.

Beacon Hill News

Vargas Receives Resident Backing for Narcan Bill Included in House Opioid Legislation

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The Massachusetts House of Representatives last week passed an opioid bill, covering the licensing of recovery coaches, making opioid overdose reversal drugs more accessible, protecting harm reduction providers and removing barriers new mothers in recovery face when they give birth. Rep. Andy X. Vargas, who championed the legislation, won support from Haverhill resident and advocate Nate Robertson. “Opioid addiction has caused incredible damage to our communities, and I am proud that the Commonwealth has continued our steadfast commitment to dismantling stigma and supporting those struggling with addiction,” Vargas said. The bill still must be approved by the Senate and signed by the governor to become law. Vargas said the bill’s approach was shaped by a review of what other states were doing to save lives, included providing Narcan upon discharge from treatment facilities.

Beacon Hill News

State Sen. Payano Praises Passage of HERO Act to Support Veterans, Increase Benefits

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Sen. Pavel M. Payano is hailing last Thursday’s unanimous state Senate passage of the HERO Act, boost support for hundreds of thousands statewide who have served in the U.S. military, including nearly 30,000 women veterans and thousands of LGBTQ+ veterans. The package, formally known as an act Honoring, Empowering and Recognizing Our Servicemembers and Veterans, would increase benefits for disabled veterans, bolster support for businesses that hire veterans, update the definition of a veteran, expand the scope of the Veterans Equality Review Board and place medical and dental benefits into the law. “I am proud to have voted in favor of the HERO Act which passed the Senate yesterday,” said Payano Friday the “legislation reaffirms our commitment to our veterans and active duty service members. This bill isn’t just about increasing benefits, it’s about ensuring our veterans feel valued and respected when they arrive home. The HERO Act modernizes our veteran services to meet the population’s diverse needs and ensures that no one is left behind, whether they’re women, LGBTQ+ or anyone else who have honorably served our country.”

Senate President Karen E. Spilka added, “We are a Commonwealth that has the deepest respect and gratitude to our veterans, and the HERO Act doubles down on that commitment to our service members by delivering the support that they and their families deserve.” She thanked the Healey-Driscoll Administration for introducing this legislation, Sen. John Velis for his work and leadership on the issue and her Senate colleagues.

Beacon Hill News

State Awards Lawrence $250,000 for Expansion of Fiber Optic Network

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Lawrence was the only area recipient in the state’s latest round of Community Compact Municipal Fiber grants. The city was formally awarded $250,000 last week to expand the city’s fiber optic infrastructure. It was part of $9 million in grants—more than double the amount awarded in the previous cycle—awarded to 53 communities statewide to support the construction or completion of municipal fiber networks. “Connectivity and technology are critical for local governments to deliver the types of services our constituents expect. Our ability to grow this program and provide necessary investment for our cities and towns across Massachusetts demonstrates our commitment to partnering with communities to improve their IT infrastructure,” Gov. Maura T. Healey said in a statement.

Beacon Hill News

Finegold to Moderate State House Panel Today on ‘Deepfake’ Tech

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A panel of experts will explain today how “deepfake” technology works, how its proliferation might affect the digital future and what other states are doing about it. Participating panelists at the State House presentation are Google Senior Policy Manager Joe Dooley; Common Cause Massachusetts Executive Director Geoff Foster; Heather Morton, director of Financial Services, Technology and Communications for the National Conference of State Legislatures; and Amanda Hainsworth, senior legal advisor to Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell

State Sen. Barry R. Finegold, who has filed legislation to require disclaimers when an artificially generated image of a political candidate is used, will moderate the panel. “Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving and with it, the ability to distort information at lightning speed. I am concerned about the federal government’s pace on this issue and look forward to joining experts in discussing how artificial intelligence—especially deepfake technology—is and will continue to affect the work we do,” said Finegold. His proposal would require synthetic media, or “deepfakes,” depicting a candidate or political party to include a disclaimer that clearly identifies the media as artificially generated or modified.

Beacon Hill News

Are State’s 15 Regional Transit Authorities Ready for Prime Time?

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by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Beacon
May 14, 2024
THE SENATE’S BUDGET proposal for the coming fiscal year calls for directing $214 million to the state’s 15 regional transit authorities, including $40 million so they can eliminate fares on all of their bus routes and $10 million to promote routes connecting regions. It’s a bold plan, one that has been hailed as a big step forward for transit agencies that have historically lived in the shadow of the much larger MBTA. Senate leaders say the money is also a step toward greater equity in transportation. A new report portrays the RTAs as largely inward-looking organizations that lack connection with each other and are subject to muddled oversight from the state Department of Transportation. The result is a somewhat disjointed overall transit system that sometimes struggles to get people where they need to go and is over-reliant on funding from the communities being served.

Beacon Hill News

Senate Committee to Hear Finegold’s Plan to Regulate Use of ‘Deepfake’ Political Photos

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State Sen. Barry R. Finegold’s legislation to restrict fraudulent “deepfakes” in election communications will be heard today by the Joint Committee on Election Laws. This proposal would require synthetic media, or “deepfakes,” depicting a candidate or political party to include a disclaimer that clearly identifies the media as artificially generated or modified. Candidates could seek civil damages of up to $10,000 against those who post deep fakes in violation of this law. The hearing will be overseen by Joint Committee on Election Laws Senate Chair John F. Keenan and House Chair Daniel J. Ryan, beginning at 10 a.m., at the State House.

Beacon Hill News

Former Lawrence Mayor Rivera Out at MassDevelopment; Tenure Brought Benefits to Haverhill

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Sam Drysdale, State House News Service. Former Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, who helped Haverhill and area cities at the state economic development agency MassDevelopment, stepped down from his position as president and CEO on Friday, more than two years before his contract was set to expire. Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao, also chair of the MassDevelopment board, said in a statement Friday that she and the administration thanked Rivera for his tenure. “Under Dan’s leadership, the agency has funded key housing deals, created economic development opportunities in Gateway Cities, and promoted commercial development across the state. We wish him well on his next endeavor,” the statement said.